Northern Forest Canoe Trail
Discover the Valley Below
Two Day Boating, Hiking and History Itinerary
Trip Summary
Maps and Guidebooks
 Section 9: Flagstaff Lake
Region
 NFCT Guidebook
 AMC River Guide
 Maine Gazetteer and Atlas
Activities
 Paddle Flagstaff Lake
 Hike the Bigelow Range
 Take a pontoon boat tour
over the submerged village
 Visit the historical society
 Mountain bike
 Watch for moose, eagles, and
loons
 Visit the Birds in Flight Gallery
Places to Stay
 Tranquility Lodge B&B
 Stratton Motel
 White Wolf Inn
 Spillover Motel
 Mountain View Motel
Where to Eat
 Looney Moose
 Stratton Diner
 White Wolf Cafe
 Fotters Market
 Pines Market
Guides and Rentals
 Flagstaff Scenic Boat Tours
 Pines Market
 Contact Flagstaff Area
Business Association for local
guides
NFCT Package Specials
(Coming Soon)
 Float and Paddle the Valley
Below
 Paddle Out, Hike Back
 Escape to the Valley
Welcome to the recreational paradise
and historic treasures of the Flagstaff
Lake Region of Maine.
Trip Location
Just beyond the peak of Sugarloaf
Mountain lies a magnificent valley to be
discovered. Historic Flagstaff Lake, at
nearly 30 miles long, wraps neatly around
the base of the striking Bigelow Mountain
Range. Paddling includes shallow seasonal
water, marshes and flat water, and
amazing views of the mountains. All seven of the Bigelow summits are part of a
36,000-acre public reserve, and two of them are on the list of 4,000-footers in
Maine, making them sought after by “peak-baggers”.
The town of Eustis and village of Stratton offer a
variety of lodging options and some great dining
choices - hearty home-cooked meals, fresh
sandwiches, and café lunches. Local stores stock
essential provisions from fine wine to peanut
butter.
Day 1 Activities: Explore the shoreline and islands of Flagstaff Lake with a kayak or
canoe rental from the Pines Market in Eustis. Boat delivery and/or shuttle service
can be arranged. While you’re at the market, pick up sandwiches, deli items,
beverages and snacks. A few yards from the market is a magnificent stand of old
growth pines and historic markers detailing Benedict Arnold’s trek. Alternatively, a
local guide can take you to quiet spots for fishing, wildlife viewing, or a “moose
safari”. Contact the Flagstaff Area Business Association for recommendations of
local guides.
Hike up to 3200-ft. Cranberry Peak (approximately 2 miles one-way) and take in
the view of the lake and surrounding mountains. The Range Trail begins near
the village of Stratton. Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands offers online maps and
trail information for the Bigelow Preserve. For longer hikes along the Bigelow
ridgeline, The Stratton Motel will help you create a loop trip and provide you
with pick-up and shuttle service.
Day 2 Activities: One of the most unique stories in Maine history, the town of
Flagstaff was established in 1775 by Benedict Arnold's forces on their way to
Quebec…and 175 years later it was flooded to make way for hydroelectricity
production. Check out the Valley Below map showing locations of underwater
village landmarks. Learn this fascinating history on a unique pontoon boat tour
with Flagstaff Scenic Boat Tours. Stock up ahead of time with sandwiches,
produce, beverage and snacks at Fotter’s Market in Stratton. Or choose a boat
tour option with a lunch stop at the lovely, remote Flagstaff Hut. In the afternoon, visit the Dead River Area Historical
Society and see displays including memorabilia of the very towns you floated over this morning.
If you are a mountain biker, check out the riding options trails at
Maine Huts and Trails and the nearby Narrow Gauge Pathway, a
rail-trail winding along the Carrabasset River. And for a truly oneof-a-kind experience, visit the Birds in Flight Gallery in Eustis to see
exquisite dimensional watercolors of birds…and the opportunity for
a customized artistic rendition of the fish you caught on your trip.
“…Some of the most glorious natural beauty New England has to offer.” – Harvard Magazine, July-August 2009
“If you think Maine is all about the coast, you need to venture inland and discover the lakes, rivers, woods, and peaks that define
the region between Bethel and Millinocket. Not only does this region rival the coast for natural beauty, it's also wildlife rich. You
won't see a puffin, but your chances of spotting a moose are high” – Boston Globe, July 2009
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail  P.O. Box 565, Waitsfield, VT 05673  802-496-2285 
http://www.northernforestcanoetrail.org/
This publication is the result of tax-supported funding from USDA, Rural Development, and as such is not copyrightable.
It may be reprinted with the customary crediting of the source.